Talismanic Leinster centre Brian O'Driscoll is on course to start Saturday's Heineken Cup final against Northampton after receiving positive news on the knee injury he sustained in last weekend's Magners League semi-final victory over Ulster.

The 33-year-old Ireland international was replaced at half-time in the 18-3 victory, which kept Leinster in with a shout of a European and domestic double, but further investigation on Sunday revealed that he should be fit to return to training in midweek.

He will likely be joined by scrum-half Isaac Boss (hamstring) and hooker Richardt Strauss (hip), while prop Mike Ross has been cleared for action after recovering from a stinger injury also picked up against Ulster. Both Shane Horgan and Sean O'Brien, who suffered a cut to the eye last time out, are expected to feature.

Northampton have injury worries of their own, notably England flanker Tom Wood, and director of rugby Jim Mallinder has admitted that they will be making running repairs this week after their bruising Premiership semi-final loss to Leicester.